Private server implementation of policy for carryover and borrowing usage

ABSTRACT

A policy-based printing system is implemented to allow access to a private domain to print using a public domain. The private domain includes private servers that store documents. The public domain includes servers and a printing device. A public policy server uses a domain list and a protocol connection with a private authentication server to validate a user and identify which private domain to access. The public policy server receives requests from the printing device to process a print job of a document in the private domain. The private server processes the requests using the policy and a ledger to determine whether to allow the print job to the printing device. If a parameter of the policy is exceeded, then the private server allows usage to be carried over or borrowed from previous and subsequent periods.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system of private and public serversthat implement policy-based printing operations. The system includes apublic and private network that supports the policy used for printingoperations, wherein the policy is implemented using a private server inthe private network such that unused or future usage is allowed forprinting operations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Existing policy-based printing systems mostly operate within a closedprivate domain environment. Print data submitted by users may be onlyaccessible within a single domain environment. Some users, such ason-the-go users including insurance and real estate agents, salesexecutives, lawyers, and company executives, require the capability toaccess printing data beyond an office environment. These users travelextensively and find themselves needing to print in public locations,such as convenience stores, libraries, airports, copy and printingservice stores, and the like. At these locations, the users may notreliably access the printing data. Further, these public locations maynot support policy-based printing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method for implementing policy-based printing is disclosed. The methodincludes applying a policy to determine whether to allow a document tobe printed from a private server. A request to print the document isreceived from a public server. The method also includes determining thata parameter for a current period as set forth in the policy denies thedocument to be printed. The method also includes compiling usageinformation associated with the parameter from a previous period from aledger on the private server. The method also includes determining acarryover usage based on the usage information for the previous period.The method also includes determining whether to allow the document to beprinted according to the policy and the carryover usage. The method alsoincludes updating the ledger with the carryover usage.

A method for implementing policy-based printing is disclosed. The methodincludes applying a policy to determine whether to allow a document tobe printed from a private server. A request to print the document isreceived from a public server. The method also includes determining thata parameter for a current period as set forth in the policy denies thedocument to be printed. The method also includes compiling usageinformation associated with the parameter for a subsequent period from aledger on the private server. The method also includes determining aborrowed usage from the usage information for the subsequent period. Themethod also includes determining whether to allow the document to beprinted according to the policy and the borrowed usage. The method alsoincludes updating the ledger with the borrowed usage.

A private server is disclosed. The private server is configured to applya policy to determine whether to allow document to be printed from theprivate server. A request to print the document is received from apublic server. The private server also is configured to determine that aparameter for a current period as set forth in the policy denies thedocument to be printed. The private server also is configured to compileusage information associated with the parameter from another period fromledger on the private server. The private server also is configured todetermine unused usage based on the usage information for the anotherperiod. The private server also is configured to determine whether toallow the document to be printed according to the policy and the unusedusage. The private server also is configured to update the ledger withthe unused usage.

A method for implementing policy-based printing is disclosed. The methodincludes receiving a request to print a document at a private serverfrom a public server. The document is to be printed at a printing deviceconnected to the public server. The method also includes determining anumber of pages for the document. The method also includes applying apolicy at the private server to determine whether to allow the documentto be forwarded to the public server based on the number of pages forthe document and usage information for a current period as set forth inthe policy. The method also includes denying that the document may beprinted based on the application. The method also includes determining acarryover usage based on the usage information for a previous period.The method also includes determining to allow the document to be printedaccording to the policy and the carryover usage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other features and attendant advantages of the present inventionwill be more fully appreciated when considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts a system to implement policy-based printing on a printingdevice according to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of components of the printing deviceused in conjunction with the authentication system according to thedisclosed embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram for implementing a policy-basedprinting system according to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 4A illustrates a domain list for use within the policy-basedprinting system according to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 4B illustrates a policy for use within the policy-based printingsystem according to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of servers and data used within thepolicy-based printing system according to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart for printing at a printing device withinthe policy-based printing system according to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart for implementing a policy-based printingsystem in a public domain according to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart for implementing a policy-based printingsystem using tokens according to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart for selecting a plurality of print jobsfrom a plurality of private domains for printing in a public domainaccording to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates a policy-based system to implement policy-basedprinting using a private server according to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of implementation of the policyusing a ledger on the private server according to the disclosedembodiments.

FIG. 12 illustrates a flowchart for allowing carryover or future usageaccording to the policy at a private server according to the disclosedembodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flowchart for determining available carryover orfuture usage according to the disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments of thepresent invention. Examples of these embodiments are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Numerous specific details are set forth in orderto provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. While theembodiments will be described in conjunction with the drawings, it willbe understood that the following description is not intended to limitthe present invention to any one embodiment. On the contrary, thefollowing description is intended to cover alternatives, modifications,and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of theappended claims. Numerous specific details are set forth in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the present invention.

The disclosed embodiments use an authentication server, a policy server,a file server, a network enabled printing device, and a public domainserver. At the printing device, a user may provide authenticationinformation, such as a username or password. The authenticationinformation is transmitted from the device to a public domain serverthat processes the username for domain information. The domaininformation is matched to a domain on record and a private server isidentified that can handle the domain authentication. The public domainserver, through a direct connection to the private server, will gothrough a series of steps to obtain an authentication token, a policyapplicable to the user, a job list of the user, and the job binary datafor printing a print job on the printing device.

FIG. 1 depicts a system 100 to implement policy-based printing on aprinting device 104 according to the disclosed embodiments. System 100includes network 102 which exchanges data between the public and privatedomains within system 100. System 100 allows a user to retrieve a printjob having job binary data 140 from a private domain server to print onprinting device 104. Printing device 104 may be any device thatprocesses the binary data to generate an electronic document that isthen printed or accessed by the user. Printing device 104 also may beknown as an image forming apparatus or a multi-functional printer. Forexample, printing device 104 may print on a sheet of paper the documentgenerated from binary data 140. Alternatively, printing device 104 maydisplay the electronic document to the user. Printing device 104 alsomay store the binary data for the print job. Printing device includesengine 106, which performs many of the operations to print, scan, store,modify, and the like. Printing device 104 and engine 106 are disclosedin greater detail below with reference to FIG. 2.

System 100 include public domain 110 and private domains 120 and 130.Public domain 110 may represent a collection of public servers anddevices linked to network 102. In some embodiments, these servers arecloud servers. Public domain 110 also may be known as a public networkof the public servers. Public domain 110 is accessible by printingdevice 104. Additional printing devices may connect to public domain110, such shown by printing device 105. The printing devices may belocated in public places, such as convenience stores, libraries,printing and copying stores and kiosks, and the like. Users may accessthe printing devices and, in turn, the servers within public domain 110.The users may need to validate their ability to access public domain 110through a connected printing device.

Public domain 110 includes public policy server 112. Public policyserver 112 interacts with private domains 120 and 130 as well asprinting devices 104 and 105. Public policy server 112 may act as themiddle man between public domain 110 and the private domains. Publicpolicy server 112 may generate and store tokens used to implement thepolicy-based operations disclosed below. It also may store and allowaccess to a policy 142 received from a private domain, upon request.Policy 142, disclosed in greater detail below, outlines what a user canand cannot do when printing to printing device 104 from a privatedomain.

Public file server 114 is connected to public policy server 112. Publicfile server 114 may store or host binary data 140 for print job from aprivate domain. Printing device 104 may retrieve binary data 140securely for a print job. In some embodiments, printing device 104 doesso through public policy server 112. Public file server 114 also mayreceive binary data 140 from a server in a private domain, as disclosedbelow.

System 100 includes private domains 120 and 140. System 100 may includeadditional private domains, not shown here. Each private domain mayinclude a plurality of private servers that are protected by a firewallfrom access from network 102. For example, private domain 120 includesfirewall 122. Firewall 122 may be a software or hardware device thatfilters data and information coming over network 102 to private domain120 for malicious or unauthorized access. If an incoming packet of datais flagged by the filters in firewall 122, then it is not allowedthrough to private domain 120. Firewall 132 may serve the same functionfor private domain 130.

Private domain 120 includes private authentication server 124, privatejob server 126, and private policy server 128. Private domain 130includes private authentication server 134, private job server 126, andprivate policy server 128. The servers for private domain 120 aredisclosed below, but their functionality may apply to the servers inprivate domain 130. Further, additional servers may be in a privatedomain and used securely to exchange information over network 102.

Private authentication server 124 is a private domain server that willprovide authentication and authorize a user to prove his/her identify.Private authentication server 124 may be the main server that connectsthe private and public domain information exchange. In some embodiments,private authentication server 124 establishes a protocol connection 144with public policy server 112 to provide a domain list 146 for access toprivate domain 120. Private authentication server 124 also verifies auser trying to access private domain 120 using public policy server 112.

Private job server 126 is a private domain server that stores all thebinary data for the job files, or print jobs. When a user wants to printout a job file at printing device 104, private job server 126 should bequeried in order to retrieve binary data 140 to generate the print job.Private job server 126 may forward binary data 140 to public file server114 according to policy 142.

Private policy server 128 is a private domain server that hosts orstores all the policies, such as policy 142, related to a user. Whenprinting device 104 attempts to perform any function, it should requestprivate policy server 128 determine whether the user is allowed to doso. Private policy 128 may do the determination via public policy server112.

The disclosed embodiments allow access to private servers from a publicdomain or to print on printing device 104 within a public network. Anintranet application may do the authentication and job spooling so usersneed to authenticate printing device 104 before use. A policy may beassociated with where a user can print, what kind of paper, number ofpages, and the like. For example, some users may want to print from apublic location, such as a convenience store, and want to access aprivate server that stores the print jobs. They would need access fromnetwork 102.

In some embodiments, public policy server 112 is a cloud server. Publicpolicy server 112 may not be able to do accounting policy management todetermine whether a user is allowed to print at printing device 104.Private domains 120 and 130 can operate over the cloud. Public policyserver 112 may enforce the rules of the policy but management of thepolicy is still at a private server. Public policy server 112 also needsto distinguish between the private servers and private domains. Thus, ifa user is outside the private network for a private domain, publicpolicy server 112 will find the correct private domain to connect. Thatprivate domain will validate the user and access or use of the printjob.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of components of printing device 104used in conjunction with system 100 according to the disclosedembodiments. The architecture shown in FIG. 2 may apply to anymulti-functional printer or image forming apparatus that scans documentsto perform other functions, such as printing, storing, copying, and thelike. As disclosed above, printing device 104 may send and receive datafrom public domain 110 and private domains 120 and 130.

Printing device 104 includes a computing platform 201 that performsoperations to support these functions. Computing platform 201 includes acomputer processing unit (CPU) 202, an image forming unit 204, a memoryunit 206, and a network communication interface 210. Other componentsmay be included but are not shown for brevity. Printing device 104,using computing platform 201, may be configured to perform variousoperations, such as scanning, copying, printing, receiving or sending afacsimile, or document processing. As such, printing 104 may be aprinting device or a multi-function peripheral including a scanner, andone or more functions of a copier, a facsimile device, and a printer. Toprovide these functions, printing device 104 includes printer components220 to perform printing operations, copier components 222 to performcopying operations, scanner components 224 to perform scanningoperations, and facsimile components 226 to receive and send facsimiledocuments. CPU 202 may issue instructions to these components to performthe desired operations.

Printing device 104 also includes a finisher 211 and one or more papercassettes 212. Finisher 211 includes rotatable downstream rollers tomove papers with an image formed surface after the desired operation toa tray. Finisher 211 also may perform additional actions, such assorting the finished papers, binding sheets of papers with staples,doubling, creasing, punching holes, folding, and the like. Papercassettes 212 supply paper to image the various components 220, 222,224, and 226 to create the image formed surfaces on the papers. Papercassettes 212 may include papers having various sizes, colors,composition, and the like. Paper cassettes 212 may be removed to refillas needed.

Document processor input feeder tray 230 may be the physical componentsof printing device 104 to receive papers and documents to be processed.A document is placed on or in document processor input feeder tray 230,which moves the document to other components within printing device 104.The movement of the document from document processor input feeder tray230 may be controlled by the instructions input by the user. Forexample, the document may move to a scanner flatbed for scanningoperations. Thus, document processor input feeder tray 230 provides thedocument to scanner components 220. As shown in FIG. 2, documentprocessor input feeder tray 230 may interact with engine firmware 106 toperform the desired operations.

Memory unit 206 includes memory storage locations 214 to storeinstructions 215. Instructions 215 are executable on CPU 202 or otherprocessors associated with printing device 104, such as any processorswithin components 220, 222, 224, or 226. Memory unit 206 also may storeinformation for various programs and applications, as well as dataspecific to printing device 104. For example, a storage location 214 mayinclude data for running an operating system executed by computingplatform 201 to support the components within printing device 104.According to the disclosed embodiments, memory unit 206 may store thetokens and codes used in performing the authentication operations forprinting device 104.

Memory unit 206 may comprise volatile and non-volatile memory. Volatilememory may include random access memory (RAM). Examples of non-volatilememory may include read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), digital tape, a harddisk drive (HDD), or a solid-state drive (SSD). Memory unit 206 alsoincludes any combination of readable or writable volatile memories ornon-volatile memories, along with other possible memory devices.

Computing platform 201 may host one or more processors, such as CPU 202.These processors are capable of executing instructions 215 stored at oneor more storage locations 214. By executing these instructions, theprocessors cause printing device 104 to perform various operations. Theprocessors also may incorporate processing units for specific purposes,such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs). Other processors may be included forexecuting operations particular to components 220, 222, 224, and 226. Inother words, the particular processors may cause printing device 104 toact as a printer, copier, scanner, and a facsimile device.

Printing device 104 also includes an operations panel 208, which may beconnected to computing platform 201. Operations panel 208 may include adisplay unit 216 and an input unit 217 for facilitating interaction witha user to provide commands to printing device 104. Display unit 216 maybe any electronic video display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD).Input unit 217 may include any combination of devices that allow usersto input information into operations panel 208, such as buttons, a touchscreen, a keyboard or keypad, switches, dials, and the like. Preferably,input unit 217 includes a touch-screen digitizer overlaid onto displayunit 216 that senses touch to receive inputs from the user. By thismanner, the user interacts with display unit 216. Using thesecomponents, one may enter an identification code 138 generated by mobileapplication 110 into printing device 104.

Printing device 104 also includes network communication processing unit218. Network communication processing unit 218 may establish a networkcommunication, such as a wireless or wired connection with one or moreother image forming apparatuses and a server in an image forming system.CPU 202 may instruct network communication processing unit 218 totransmit or retrieve information over a network using networkcommunication interface 210. As data is received at computing platform201 over a network, network communication processing unit 218 decodesthe incoming packets and delivers them to CPU 202. CPU 202 may actaccordingly by causing operations to occur on printing device 104. CPU202 also may retrieve information stored in memory unit 206, such assettings for printing device 104.

Printing device 104 also includes engine 106. Engine 106 may be acombination of hardware, firmware, or software components that actaccordingly to accomplish a task. For example, engine 106 is comprisedof the components and software to print a document. It may receiveinstructions from computing platform 201 after user input via operationspanel 208. Alternatively, engine 106 may receive instructions from otherattached or linked devices.

Engine 106 manages and operates the low-level mechanism of the printingdevice engine, such as hardware components that actuate placement oftoner onto paper. Engine 106 may manage and coordinate the half-toner,toner cartridges, rollers, schedulers, storage, input/output operations,and the like. Raster image processor (RIP) firmware 290 that interpretsthe page description languages (PDLs) would transmit and sendinstructions down to the lower-level engine 106 for actual rendering ofan image and application of the toner onto paper during operations onprinting device 104.

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram 300 for implementing policy-based printingsystem 100 according to the disclosed embodiments. In disclosing theembodiments shown by flow diagram 300, reference may be made to elementsshown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4A, 4B, and 5. Flow diagram 300 shows theoperations between the various servers disclosed in FIG. 1 above. Flowdiagram 300 also depicts the actions taken at the various servers. Theprivate and public servers may perform additional operations and actionsnot shown herein. The operations may be executed over network 102.Further, flow diagram 300 shows the operations between public domain 110and private domain 120. Thus, firewall 122 may exist between the publicservers and the private servers. The same operations may be executedbetween public domain 110 and private domain 130.

The processes disclosed by flow diagram 300 seek to solve the problem ofhow to authenticate a user in one location, such as a convenience storewith printing services, that he/she is within an organization that has apolicy applicable to the user. Further, the policy is stored in aprivate domain not readily accessible from the printing device at theconvenience store. The printing device is connected to a public networkand may be part of a public domain, such as public domain 110. Thedisclosed embodiments enable the user and the organization to implementthe policy, which is applicable to the private domain, within the publicdomain of the printing device located in the convenience store.

Operation 302 executes by private authentication server 124 sending aninitialization request to public policy server 112. As disclosed above,private authentication server 124 is within private domain 120 andpublic policy server 112 is within public domain 110. To send theinitialization request, an administrator enter information about publicpolicy server 112. Such information may include server network address,location, server capabilities, and the like. Once the information isentered, private authentication server 124 generates a verificationtoken 502 which verifies that public policy server 112 is acceptable toreceive information and communicate with the private authenticationserver.

Operation 304 executes by returning acceptance of the initializationrequest and establishing a protocol connection 144 between privateauthentication server 124 and public policy server 112. Protocolconnection 144 may stay established as long as public policy server hasverification token 502. Verification token 502 may be stored on publicpolicy server 112 and presented whenever verification is required byprivate authentication server 124. Protocol connection 144 provides apersistent connection between private authentication server 124 andpublic policy server 112 that allows the servers to send data at anytime. Protocol connection 144 preferably may be known as a WebSocketconnection, which provides a full-duplex communication channel over asingle connection. Preferably, protocol connection 144 uses a secureprotocol.

Operation 306 executes by providing a domain list 400 from privateauthentication server 124 to public policy server 112. This operationalso may include providing the information about the privateauthentication server. Action 308 executes by setting domain list 400 atpublic policy server 112 to include domain information for privateauthentication server 124. Public policy server 112 may refer to domainlist 400 whenever a user attempts to print from a private domain. Publicpolicy server 112 may use information provided by the user to determinewhich domain to obtain policy 142. For example, public policy server 112may be connected to more than one private domain. Domain list 400determines which private domain applies to a user trying to print.

FIG. 4A depicts an example domain list according to the disclosedembodiments. Domain list 400 may be a file having fields for the privatedomains and the email domains associated with each domain. A user isidentified as part of a domain using his/her email address. Publicpolicy server 112 will compare the email provided by the user todetermine which private domain to access. As shown in FIG. 4A, privatedomain 120 may be associated with two email domains 402 and 404. A userhaving an email domain with “@example1.com” or “@example2.com” will haveits policy and associated documents located on private domain 120. Auser having an email domain 406 with “@company.com” will have its policyand associated documents located on private domain 130. Additionalprivate domains may be served by public policy server 112. Privatedomain N will receive requests for policies of users having email domain408 of “@firm.com” and private domain N+1 will receive requests forpolicies of users having email domain 410 of “@college.com.”

As can be seen, companies, firms, and colleges have an interest inkeeping their network domains private. Further, these entities may wishto limit use of printing devices within public domains according to apolicy. Domain list 400 also may include an entry for a public domain,such as public domain X. In some instances, a public domain also mayinclude policies to limit capabilities of a user on a printing device104. These policies, however, may not be within a private domain andavailable for retrieving through a public network connection. An emaildomain of “@website.com” may direct public policy server 112 to a publicdomain for the associated policy 142. Referring back to FIG. 3,operation 310 returns an acknowledgement to private authenticationserver 124 that domain list 400 has been set and protocol connection 144exists with public policy server 112.

Operation 312 executes when a user wants to print a document at printingdevice 104 coupled to public policy server 112. Authenticationinformation 504 is provided from public policy server 112 to privateauthentication server 124. In some embodiments, the user enters ausername and password that is captured by public policy server 112. Forexample, the user may enter this information at printing device 104which forwards it to public policy server 112. Alternatively, the usermay connect to public policy server 112 through an application on amobile device or the like to provide authentication information 504.

In other embodiments, the user may enter a code, such as a personalidentification number (PIN), that retrieves this information to provideit to public policy server 112. Public policy server 112 receives thecode and matches the user information when the code is provided. Otherembodiments may use a graphical code or identification card having anumber that provides this information. Operation 312 sends thisauthentication information 504, such as username, password and PIN, toprivate authentication server 124.

Action 314 executes by authenticating the user with authenticationinformation 504. Thus, user information is not stored on public policyserver 112. Authentication still occurs in private domain 120 behindfirewall 122. If the user is authenticated, then action 314 alsoincludes private authentication server 124 generating authenticationtoken 506. Operation 316 executes by indicating that the user has beenvalidated and providing authentication token 506 to public policy server112. Public policy server 112 may assign authentication token 506 to theuser. Using the PIN example, the entered PIN may be associated withauthentication token 506.

Private authentication server 124 also may provide an email address orthe email domain, such as email domains 402-412 shown in FIG. 4A, topublic policy server 112 if this information is not already available.For example, it may be too cumbersome to enter email addresses atprinting device 104. Further, the administrators of private domain 120may not want valid email addresses being entered at printing device 104on a public network or in a public place. Thus, no email address isprovided to public policy server 112 from within public domain 110 but,instead, from private domain 120. Moreover, private authenticationserver 124 may provide only the domain and not the actual email address.

Once validated, public policy server 112 now retrieves a policy 142 fromprivate policy server 128. Operation 318 executes by getting policy 142.The email domain is compared against domain list 400 to determine whichprivate domain to query for the policy. In this example,user@example1.com is the email provided to public policy server 112. Itcompares the email to domain list 400 to determine the applicable policyis within private domain 120. Public policy server 112 sends determineddomain 508, such as example1.com, along with authentication token 506 toprivate policy server 128 in operation 318. If the next user has anemail domain of @company.com, then public policy server 112 determinesthat domain 508 is company.com and that the applicable policy is locatedin private domain 130.

Action 320 executes by identifying policy 142 as being applicable to theuser based on domain 508. Authentication token 506 may be associatedwith the user and this information provided from private authenticationserver 124. Policy 142 may be a file having flags or other informationto indicate what the user can do within a public network. For example,limitations may be set as to what type of printing can be done, thenumber of pages may be printed, and the like. FIG. 4B depicts a blockdiagram of an example policy for policy 142 according to the disclosedembodiments.

Policy 142 may include policy information 448. Policy information 448may include a title of the policy, document information, and privatedomain information. Policy 142 includes data, such as flags, thatindicates what can and cannot be performed in public domain 110. Thisdata may be known as parameters in policy 142. Examples of parametersthat limit printing operations are shown in FIG. 4B. Print parameter 449may be set to indicate whether a user can even print outside privatedomain 120. Certain users may not be allowed to print in a publicdomain. Print parameter 449 may be set to limit these users to scanningdocuments only or other operations that do not allow access to anydocuments or information stored in private domain 120.

Color parameter 450 may indicate whether the user can do color printingin public domain 110. If no, then the user may be limited to only blackand write printing. The user may be allowed to do color printing atprinting devices in private domain 120 but not allowed to do so in apublic domain setting.

Pages parameter 452 may set a limit on the number of pages that a usercan print. The administrators of private domain 120 do not wantunlimited printing to occur outside the private domain. Pages parameter452 may limit the number of pages printed per day, week, month, hour,year, and the like. Alternatively, pages parameter 452 may cap thenumber of pages printed to have the user check with the administratorsof public domain 120 to reset this parameter. Once the user hits alimit, he/she requests that the number of pages printed be reset toallow further operations. Costs parameter 454 may be similar to pagesparameter 452 except to limit the amount of fees that the user may incurbefore printing is stopped. Costs parameter 454 helps prevent the userfrom running up large bills at a convenience store. It also may cap theamount of costs incurred on a periodic basis or as a total cost.

Security level parameter 456 may indicate that the user can only accessdocuments from a job list provided from private job server 126 having acertain security or access level. Security level parameter 456 may helpprevent accidental or intentional printing of sensitive documents atprinting device 104. Further, the user may have access to sensitivedocuments when printing within private domain 120 but not so whenprinting using public domain 110. Policy 142 may limit exposure to suchdocuments.

Location parameter 458 may indicate whether the user can print atcertain locations. Policy 142 may place geographic or other limitationson where the user can print using a public domain. Location parameter458 also may indicate the type of locations to allow printingoperations. For example, the administrators of private domain 120 maynot allow printing in a convenience store but may allow printing in alibrary. Device parameter 460 may act similar to location parameter 458except limit printing on certain devices. For example, policy 142 maynot allow printing on a printing device 104 that does not have legalsized paper capability or stores the data from the job file in a memoryon the device. Device parameter 460 also may limit printing operationsto known printing devices having a serial number or IP address.

Operation 322 executes by providing policy 142 to public policy server112. Public policy server 112 may configure policy 142 to determinewhether the user can print using public domain 110 and what limits onthe printing operations may be enforced. Policy 142 may apply to allusers of private domain 120. Alternatively, policy 142 may treat usersdifferently. Some users may have unlimited printing privileges accordingto parameters 452 or 454 while others are prevented from exceeding a capset forth by these parameters. Public policy server 112 configures thedeterminations using policy 142 accordingly.

Using the parameters within policy 142, operation 324 executes bygetting a job list from private job server 126. Public policy server 112may generate a job token 510. Job token 510 is presented to private jobserver 126 to obtain a job list 511 of print jobs available to the user.In some embodiments, job token 510 may include data that specifies whatprint jobs can be added to job list 511 based on the parameters setforth in policy 146. Job list 511 includes those print jobs that meetthe specifications of policy 146. For example, color print jobs will notbe included in job list 511 of policy 146 does not allow color printingfor the user in a public domain. Action 326 executes by generating joblist 511 in response to job token 510. Operation 322 executes by sendingthe print jobs in job list 511 to public policy server 112 from privatejob server 126.

The user then may select a print job from job list 511. The user mayselect from an interface provided on printing device 104 that is thencommunicated to public policy server 112. Alternatively, an applicationmay execute on a device of the user that presents the job list andallows for selection from the list. The selection is sent to publicpolicy server 112. Operation 330 executes by sending a command toprivate job server 126 to prepare a selected print job along with auniform resource locator (URL) address from public policy server 112.The URL address is one associate with public policy server 112 andaccessible from public domain 110.

Action 332 executes by retrieving and preparing the data for the printjob. Preferably, the data is binary data that represents the documentfor the print job. This may be shown as binary data 140 in FIGS. 1 and5. Action 332 also may convert the data into a format compatible withprinting device 104. For example, the document may include data thatcalls for printing on a legal sized paper while printing device 104 onlyprints using letter sized paper. The data sent from private job server126 may be modified to fit onto a letter sized paper.

Operation 334 executes by uploading binary data 140 to the URL addressprovided in operation 330. Thus, private job server 126 puts the datafor the print job outside private domain 120 for the first time at thispoint. The URL address may be valid for only a specified period of time,such as two hours, one day, a week, and the like. After that point, theURL address may expire. The URL address to download binary data 140 forthe print job is provided to public file server 114.

Public policy server 112 now retrieves binary data 140 and sends thedata to printing device 104. Before that occurs, however, the disclosedembodiments may confirm whether the user has enough funds to pay forprocessing and completing the print job. Operation 336 executes bygenerating a confirmation token 514 at public policy server 112 once itis confirmed that the user or user's account has enough money to coverexpenses to print. Public policy server 112 may compare the fundsavailable to the cost to complete the print job. If there are enoughfunds, then confirmation token 514 is generated and sent to public fileserver 114. If not, then the user may be alerted to add more funds tohis/her account.

Action 338 executes by obtaining uploaded binary data 140 from the URLaddress. Public file server 114 may send a call to the URL address whichthen sends binary data 140 to the public file server. Public file server114 may store binary data 140 until confirmation token 514 is received.If a confirmation token 514 is not received within a specified timeframe, then binary data 140 may be deleted from public file server 114.This feature prevents print jobs from private domain 120 from beingstored indefinitely in public domain 110. Other factors may be used todetermine when to delete any stored files of binary data.

Operation 340 executes by sending binary data 140 for the print job frompublic file server 114 to public policy server 112. Operation 342executes by sending binary data 140 from public policy server 112 toprinting device 104. Printing device 104 may process the print jobaccordingly. The user's account for printing on public domain 110 may becharged accordingly as well. In some embodiments, public file server 114may send binary data 140 to printing device 104.

The disclosed embodiments allow a private domain, or network, to printto a public domain using a policy applicable to the public domain.Internal policies to the private domain are not material to printing inthe public domain. Further, job data is kept private as long aspossible. The data for the print job is provided to the public domainwhen requested by the user and approved according to the policy. Thisfeature allows the user to print anywhere. The print job is notautomatically sent outside the private domain or from the privateservers until printing actually occurs. The disclosed embodimentsprovide greater flexibility for companies and users to access documentsin a secure, private location and use devices and resources in a publicsetting.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart 600 for printing at printing device 104within policy-based printing system 100 according to the disclosedembodiments. Flowchart 600 may refer back to elements disclosed in FIGS.1-5 for illustrative purposes. The embodiments disclosed by flowchart600, however, are not limited to the features disclosed in FIGS. 1-5.Further, flowchart 600 may compliment the embodiments disclosed by flowdiagram 300.

Step 602 executes by establishing a protocol connection 144 betweenprivate authentication server 124 and public policy server 112. Theprotocol connection allows communication between the servers, one inprivate domain 120 and another one in public domain 110. Step 604executes by providing a domain list 146 from private authenticationserver 124 to public policy server 112. Domain list 146 may includeapplicable private domains and associated email domains that areaccessible by public policy server 112. Step 606 executes by enteringuser data 504 within public network 110 and providing the data to publicpolicy server 112. Step 608 executes by sending user data 504 to privateauthentication server 124.

Step 610 executes by validating the user at private authenticationserver 124. Private authentication server 124 checks the provided userdata 504 against its stored authentication records for the user. If theuser is validated, then step 612 executes by generating authenticationtoken 506. Step 614 executes by receiving authentication token 506 atpublic policy server 112. Step 616 executes by determining theapplicable private domain for the user according to domain list 146.Preferably, public policy server 112 uses the email address for the userto determine which private domain to access for the policy for the user.

Step 618 executes by retrieving policy 142 from private policy server128 based on the receipt of authentication token 506 and domain 508 frompublic policy server 112. Private policy server 128 is identifiedaccording to the applicable domain 508 and queried by public policyserver 112. Once verified, private policy server 128 sends policy 142 topublic policy server 112.

Step 620 executes by determining the parameters for policy 142. Thisprocess is disclosed above. As shown in FIG. 4B, policy 142 may includeparameters that outline what printing options are available to the user.Step 622 executes by applying the parameters to configure public policyserver 112 to determine what print jobs or operations are available tothe user in public domain 110.

Step 624 executes by determining whether the user is allowed to accessprinting device 104 using public domain 110 according to the policy.Further, step 624 determines what print jobs are available to the useraccording to policy 142. The determination also may include reviewingpolicy 142 for allowing other operations on printing device 104 such asscanning, editing, faxing, and the like. If no, then step 626 executesby sending a message to the user or public policy server 112 that theoperation on printing device 104 is not allowed.

If step 624 is yes, then step 628 executes by retrieving the print jobfrom private job server 126. A job list 511 may be provided. The printjob is selected from job list 511. Job token 510 is generated by publicpolicy server 112. Public policy server 112 sends job token 510 toprivate job server 126 to obtain job list 511. Upon selection of theprint job, private job server 126 uploads binary data 140 for the printjob to a location accessible by public file server 114. Step 630executes by confirming access to binary data 140 for the print job bychecking to see if the user has enough money to pay for using printingdevice 104. Other restrictions also may be checked, such as time of day,location, and the like, to confirm whether the print job should bereleased to printing device 104.

Step 632 executes by sending binary data 140 to printing device 104 uponconfirmation in step 630. Public policy server 112 generates aconfirmation token 514 to confirm that the user is allowed to print.Public policy server 112 may send confirmation token 514 to public fileserver 114. Upon receipt of the confirmation token, public file server114 may forward binary data 140 for the print job to public policyserver 112, which provides the data file to printing device 104.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart 700 for implementing a policy-basedprinting system 100 in a public domain 110 according to the disclosedembodiments. Flowchart 700 may refer back to elements disclosed in FIGS.1-5 for illustrative purposes. The embodiments disclosed by flowchart700, however, are not limited to the features disclosed in FIGS. 1-5.Further, flowchart 700 may compliment the embodiments disclosed by flowdiagram 300.

As disclosed above, public policy server 112 may interact with aplurality of private domains. Public policy server 112 may retrieve andimplement more than one policy for printing or processing print jobs inpublic domain 110. In some embodiments, public policy server 112 mayimplement policies for a plurality of public domains as well. Further, aplurality of printing devices may be connected to public policy server112. Flowchart 700 discloses some embodiments that have public policyserver 112 interacting with more than one private domain.

Step 702 executes by validating users within public domain 110 atprivate authentication server 124. As disclosed above, a protocolconnection may be established between public policy server 112 andprivate authentication server 124 to exchange user information toperform the validation.

Step 704 executes by determining a private policy server for each useraccording to a domain for the user at public policy server 112. Thedomains for each user are private domains. Preferably, the email domainfor each user indicates the applicable private domain for that user.With two or more users, different email domains may indicate more thanone private domain. Step 706 executes by retrieving a policy 142 foreach user according to the respective domain from private policy server128.

Step 708 executes by determining the parameters for each policy 142. Allof the policies are received at public policy server 112. Public policyserver 112 configures the treatment of printing requests for eachprivate domain according to the corresponding policy. The policy setsforth the parameters for printing from the private domain via the publicdomain. For example, the parameters for one policy may only allow 100pages to be printed per user a month from private domain 120 while theparameters for another policy may only allow 20 pages to be printed peruser from private domain 130. Public policy server 112 is configuredaccordingly.

Step 710 executes by determining whether the user is allowed to printaccording to the applicable policy. If no, then step 712 executes bysending an alert to public policy server 112 or to the user. No printingoperations using public domain 110 are allowed. If yes, then step 714executes by receiving a job list according to the applicable policy fromprivate job server 126. Step 716 executes by making the print jobs inthe job list available to the user. Step 718 executes by selecting aprint job from the job list. Binary data 140 for the selected print jobis retrieved from private job server 126 and made available to publicfile server 114.

Step 720 executes by confirming whether the print job may be sent toprinting device 104. Public policy server 112 confirms that the user hasenough funds or credits to perform the request task on printing device104. If yes, then step 722 executes by sending the print job as binarydata 140 to printing device 104. If no, then step 724 executes bydenying the print job. The user may be prompted to provide additionalfunds or credits to perform the requested task.

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart 800 for implementing a policy-based printingsystem 100 using tokens according to the disclosed embodiments.Flowchart 800 may refer back to elements disclosed in FIGS. 1-5 forillustrative purposes. The embodiments disclosed by flowchart 800,however, are not limited to the features disclosed in FIGS. 1-5.Further, flowchart 800 may compliment the embodiments disclosed by flowdiagram 300.

Step 802 executes by generating authentication token 506 at privateauthentication server 124. This step occurs once private authenticationserver 124 validates a user attempting to print using public domain 110.Public policy server 112 sends user information 504 including an emailaddress, username, password, or PIN to private authentication server124. Private authentication server 124, being in private domain 120, maysecurely store this information for the user. The secure userinformation is not made available in public domain 110. Authenticationtoken 506 indicates that the user may access private domain 120. Step804 executes by sending authentication token 506 to public policy server112.

Step 806 executes by sending authentication token 506 and domain 508 toprivate policy server 128. Public policy server 112 sends authenticationtoken 506 and domain 508 after the domain is determined using domainlist 146. An email address may indicate an email domain that is used asdomain 508. Domain 508 indicates which private domain to access for theapplicable policy. For example, referring to FIG. 4A, an email ofuser@example1.com will indicate private domain 120. Public policy server112 attaches authentication token 506 to domain 508 and sends therequest for the policy for the user.

Step 808 executes by retrieving policy 142 from private policy server128. Authentication token 506 confirms that the user corresponds to thepolicy. Authentication token 506 may include data provided by privateauthentication server 124 that identifies the user as able to useprivate domain 120 and, therefore, policy 142 for the private domainshould be used in printing on public domain 110. Private policy server128 sends policy 142 to public policy server 112. Public policy server112 then configures itself to apply the parameters of the policy tousing public domain for the user.

Step 810 executes by generating job token 510 at public policy server112 after applying the parameters of policy 142. The parameters maydetail what the user can do using public domain 110. These parametersmay not necessarily correspond to what the user can do using privatedomain 120. Limitations are placed on the user on how he/she can useprinting device 104. Job token 510 may reflect the parameters to compilethe job list of print jobs available to the user according to policy142.

Step 812 executes by sending job token 510 to private job server 126.Private job server 126 may store the print jobs available to the user orto users in private domain 120. In some embodiments, a plurality ofprint jobs may be available such that a job list 511 is generated basedon the parameters for the user in using public domain 110. Job token 510may be used in generating job list 511 in that it includes informationto select the appropriate print jobs to include in the print job list.

Step 814 executes by providing print job list 511 to public policyserver 112. The user may select a print job from print job list 511.Alternatively, the desired print job may already be selected such thatpublic policy server 112 receives data for the selection, such as froman application on a mobile device, that corresponds to the print job injob list 511. Public policy server 112 then requests the print job datafrom private job server 126. Step 816 executes by sending job binarydata 140 for the selected print job from private job server 126 topublic file server 114.

Step 818 executes by confirming whether the user may print or processthe print job at printing device 104. For example, public policy server112 may confirm that the user has enough funds in an account to pay forprinting on printing device 104. If step 818 is no, then step 820executes by sending an alert to the user or to public policy server 112that printing operations are to be stopped until the condition is met.Using the above example, the user may be asked to provide additionalfunds to his/her account to print the document.

If step 818 is yes, then step 822 executes by generating confirmationtoken 514 by public policy server 112. Confirmation token 514 indicatesthat the processing of binary data 140 at printing device 104 mayproceed. Step 824 executes by sending confirmation token 514 to publicfile server 114 to obtain binary data 140, which is stored thereon.Public file server 114 may send binary data 140 to public policy server112 upon receipt of confirmation token 514.

Step 826 executes by providing binary data 140 to printing device 104.Public policy server 112 may send binary data 140 once a connection isestablished with printing device 104. Public policy server 112 may haveto wait until printing device 104 is available before forwarding binarydata 140. Thus, the data from private job server 126 is not madeavailable on printing device 104 until the operations are ready tocommence. Although the current embodiments discuss printing on printingdevice 104, other operations also may occur, such as scanning, editing,faxing, and the like.

FIG. 9 depicts a flowchart 900 for selecting a plurality of print jobsfrom a plurality of private domains 120 and 130 for printing in publicdomain 110 according to the disclosed embodiments. Flowchart 900 mayrefer back to elements disclosed in FIGS. 1-5 for illustrative purposes.The embodiments disclosed by flowchart 900, however, are not limited tothe features disclosed in FIGS. 1-5. Further, flowchart 900 maycompliment the embodiments disclosed by flow diagram 300.

As disclosed above, different policies apply to different to users andprints jobs from different private domains. One private domain may notallow color printing while another private domain may not allowunlimited printing. Thus, public policy server 112 configures itself toresolve the different requirements set forth in a plurality of policiesfrom various private policy servers. Further, public policy server 112may manage different job lists and print jobs from the plurality ofprivate domains. Alternatively, a private domain may have differentdomains related to it, such as example1.com and example2.com for privatedomain 120 shown in FIG. 4A. Different policies may come from a singleprivate policy server.

Step 902 executes by generating verification token 502 at privateauthentication server 124. Private authentication server 124 receivesinformation about public policy server 112 in order to establish aprotocol connection. Verification token 502 helps to establish aconnection between private authentication server 124 and public policyserver 112. Private authentication server 134 also may generate averification token 502 to establish protocol connection to public policyserver 112.

Step 904 executes by sending verification token 502 to public policyserver 112. Step 906 executes by storing verification token 502 atpublic policy server 112. As long as public policy server 112 canpresent verification token 502 when requested or when submitting a printrequest for a user, the connection is established with privateauthentication server 124. Step 908 executes by providing domain list146 from private authentication server 124 to public policy server 112.Domain list 146 may include information pertaining to a plurality ofdomains for a plurality of private domains, as disclosed by FIG. 4A.

Step 910 executes by generating a first authentication token 506. Step912 executes by generating a second authentication token 506. The firstauthentication token may be generated in response to a first userproviding user information at public policy server 112. The secondauthentication token may be generated in response to a second userproviding user information at public policy server 112. Public policyserver 112 may access the appropriate private authentication server tovalidate the user information for each user. In some embodiments,private authentication server 124 may validate both users and generateboth authentication tokens. Alternatively, private authentication server124 may generate the first authentication token while privateauthentication server 134 may generate the second authentication token.Public policy server 112 may have instructions when to use the differentprivate authentication servers.

Step 914 executes by sending the first authentication token and a firstdomain to a first private policy server. Step 916 executes by sendingthe second authentication token and a second domain to a second policyserver. Public policy server 112 determines which private domain isapplicable to each user. The determination of the private domain may bebased on the email address for each user. In some embodiments, publicpolicy server 112 may send this data to a single private policy server,which stores different policies for different domains that use a singleprivate domain. Alternatively, the authentication tokens and domains maybe sent to separate private policy servers. For example, the firstauthentication token and first domain are sent to a first private policyserver, such as private policy server 128. The second authenticationtoken and the second domain are sent to a second private policy server,such as private policy server 138.

Flowchart 900 proceeds to steps A1 and A2 for steps 914 and 916,respectively. Steps A1 and A2 then proceed to steps 918 and 920,respectively. Step 918 executes by retrieving a first policy, such aspolicy 142, in response to the first authentication token and the firstdomain. Step 920 executes by retrieving a second policy, such as policy142, in response to the second authentication token and the seconddomain. In some embodiments, the first policy is stored on privatepolicy server 128 and the second policy is stored on private policyserver 138. Alternatively, both policies may be stored on private policyserver 128 or 138. The first policy may apply to the first user and thesecond policy may apply to the second user.

Step 922 executes by receiving the first and second policies at publicpolicy server 112. Step 924 executes by determining access to a firstprint job according to the first policy and access to a second print jobaccording to the second policy. Public policy server 112 may configurethe parameters of each policy to determine what type of print jobs maybe made available to each user. For example, the first print job may notbe available to the second user according to the second policy. Thedetermination of access may relate to what print jobs are available tothe users over public domain 110.

Step 926 executes by generating first and second job tokens, such as jobtoken 510, based on the first and second policies at public policyserver 112. A first job token is generated for the first policy and asecond job token for the second policy. In some embodiments, the firstjob token may be sent to private job server 126 and the second job tokenmay be sent to private job server 136. The different private job serversare in separate private domains. Alternatively, the job tokens may besent to private job server 126 or 136.

Step 928 executes by retrieving a first job list, such as job list 511,based on the first policy and the received first job token andretrieving the second job list, such as job list 511, based on thesecond policy and the received second job token. The applicable privatejob server or servers provide the job lists to public policy server 112.The first user may select a first print job from the first print joblist. The second user may select a second print job from the secondprint job list. These requests are communicated back to the applicationprivate job server or servers. The binary data for the first and secondprint jobs are sent to public file server 114.

Step 930 executes by generating confirmation tokens, such asconfirmation token 514, at public policy server 112 to indicate that theprint jobs may be processed at printing device 104. Public policy server112 may confirm that each user has enough funds in his/her account toperform operations on printing device 104, as disclosed above. A firstconfirmation token for the first print job is presented to public fileserver 114. A second confirmation token for the second print job ispresented to public file server 114. Public file server 114 provides thebinary data for each print job to public policy server 112. Step 932executes by sending the binary data for the first and second print jobsto printing device 104.

In some embodiments, it may be desired to not provide the policy to thepublic domain, either in a public domain server or the printing device.The policy could include details that are sent to many components withinthe system. Some servers and devices may not be able to implement thepolicy effectively. A policy may be a complex concept. Whenever policydata arrive at the device, the data may need to be parsed correctly andapplied correctly when a print job is sent to the device. Theseoperations may impose a heavy burden on the development and maintenanceof the device. Preferably, the printing system would like the printingdevice, for example, to focus on what it does, such as printing,scanning, or copying.

FIG. 10 illustrates a policy-based system 1000 to implement policy-basedprinting using a private server 1002 according to the disclosedembodiments. System 1000 may reduce development and maintenanceresponsibilities in multiple components in the system and provideadditional security with an advanced policy. In some embodiments, aprivate server at the corporate office, or private domain, has thepolicy set by an administrator. The policy changes frequently andbecomes more complex with each evolution of software within the printingsystem or on the devices.

On the private server, a ledger may exist on the private server thatrecords all the actions performed by all end user who are printing,copying, scanning, and the like within system 1000. The users mayutilize printing devices and servers in a public domain such that theyperform actions outside the normal corporate environment. A publicserver may serve as a gateway to the private domain. It may have openwebsocket bi-directional communication with the private server, asdisclosed above. The printing device is connected to the public networkand also is connected to the public server to whether it can do a simpleaction on behalf of the user in processing a document.

Within the disclosed printing system, the user may use allowed printingor access to documents in each policy period in an uneven manner Theuser does not use the services of the printing devices the same way oramount every period. One period may not use the allotted number of pagesto be printed while another period may exceed the limit placed on theuser by the policy. Further, usage from a future period may be used andapplied to the current period in order to allow the user to printdocuments. The disclosed embodiments address this imbalance to improvethe user experience and provide better usage strategies for the user andthe business.

The policy according to some embodiments may be a flexible policy toserve the user and business better as well as provide an optimal usagestrategy. When the limit is reached for a particular period, thedisclosed embodiments may determine if any carryover usage is availablefrom the past period. If so, then the carryover amount may be added tothe current period to allow continued printing. Further, if carryoverusage is not available, then the user may “borrow” against the usage forthe next period to continue printing. The policy is configurable foreach user or group so that an administrator can device who can apply theflexible usage features as well as when it is applied. The policy is notshared by a public server or printing device. Determinations are made atthe private server.

FIG. 10 shows a policy-based system 1000 having a private server 1002, apublic server 1004, a printing device 1006, and a user device 1008.These components of the system may be disclosed above with regard toFIGS. 1-9. In system 1000, private server 1002 may refer to any of theservers in the private domain, such as private authentication server124, private job server 126, and private policy server 128 of privatedomain 120 shown in FIG. 1. Private server 1002 may be used in system1000 to mean any server or group of servers in a private domain, asdisclosed above. Private server 1002 may be separated from servers andprinting devices in public domains by firewall 1011. Private server 1002also stores and applies policy 1010. Policy 1010 may correspond topolicy 142 disclosed above.

Public server 1004 may refer to any of the servers in the public domain,such as public file server 114 and public policy server 112 of publicdomain 110 shown in FIG. 1. Public server 1004 may be accessible by aplurality of printing devices, including printing device 1006. In thepublic domain, public server 1004 may manage print jobs going to variousprinting devices. It also may include a connection to private server1002, which has been verified and authenticated according the processesdisclosed above. For example, a websocket connection 1005 may existbetween private server 1002 and public server 1004.

Printing device 1006 may receive documents from public server 1004 aswell as other sources to print, copy, store, modify, and the like. Thefeatures of printing devices according to the disclosed embodiments aredisclosed above. Printing device 1006 may include device identification1018 that indicates a unique identifier within system 1000. In someembodiments, device identification 1018 may be a number, alphanumericcharacters, or a combination thereof. Public server 1004 may senddocuments and files to printing device 1006 based on deviceidentification 1018.

User device 1008 may be a mobile device, tablet, computer, and the like.User device 1008 may move between the private domain and the publicdomain, as separated by firewall 1011. It also may access private server1002 as well as public server 1004. A user may send and receive datafrom the servers at user device 1008. User device 1008 also may sendinstructions 1014 to printing device 1006 to print, copy, scan, and thelike stored documents from private server 1002.

Private server 1002 may upload document 1012. Document 1012 may besimilar to the print jobs disclosed above. Document 1012 includes dataand information that is transmitted to devices within the privatedomain. The user of user device 1008 may upload document 1012 within theprivate domain. Document 1012, however, may be processed and printed atdevices outside the public domain and not necessarily at devicesconnected to private server 1002. Policy 1010 also may be used todetermine how and if document 1012 is used within system 1000 outsidethe private domain.

The user may authenticate user device 1008 to public server 1004according to the disclosed embodiments. For example, user device 1008may provide verification data, such as a user/account name and password,to verify the user to public server 1004. This process may be disclosedabove with regard to verification between public policy server 112 andprivate authentication server 124. Alternatively, verification data 1016may be a token used by user device to authenticate the user in a publicdomain. Upon authentication, websocket connection 1005 may beestablished to allow open bi-directional communication between privateserver 1002 and public server 1004.

In some embodiments, printing device 1006 receives instructions 1014from user device 1008 to process document 1012. An electronic copy ofdocument 1012 may be sent to printing device 1006 to process and print,copy, scan, and the like. The user also may modify the electronic copy.In summary, a document stored on private server 1002 is made availableon a public device.

Before receiving document 1012, printing device 1006 in conjunction withpublic server 1004 and private server 1002 may determine whether anyaction on behalf of the user is allowed at the printing device. Anaction by printing device 1006 is a simple operation of print, copy,scan, and the like. It may be measured in the smallest scale possible,such as a single page at a time. Thus, printing device 1006 may sendrequest 1016 to public server 1004, which is then forwarded to privateserver 1002. Preferably, request 1016 includes queries for policy 1010as closed questions that result in a YES or NO response. Printing device1006 merely has to determine whether it can perform an operation or not.Printing device 1006 does not do any analysis of policy 1010.

Public server 1004 receives request 1016 pertaining to the userinstructions to printing device 1006 to process document 1012. Publicserver 1004 may forward request 1016 without further processing. Inother embodiments, public server 1004 may break down request 1016 intosmaller requests that permit the responses to be in a YES or NO format.Upon receipt of responses from private server 1002, public server 1004may forward document 1012 or provide further instructions to printingdevice 1006.

Private server 1002 receives request 1016 from public server 1004 viawebsocket connection 1005. If no websocket connection exists, thenprivate server 1002 may not receive the request and public server 1004responds to printing device 1006 with an alert that printing, copying,scanning, and the like for request 1016 is denied. Upon receipt ofrequest 1016, private server 1002 analyzes policy 1010 to determinewhether the action is allowed for the user on printing device 1006.Private server 1002 also compiles or accesses ledger 1003 to determineif the action is allowed. Ledger 1003 may be a record or file of allfine grained action within system 1000 that provides the status of theaccount for the user. For example, ledger 1003 may indicate how manypages that the user has printed in the policy-set period, costsincurred, and other statistics of actions limited by policy 1010.

Update 1020 also may be received at private server 1002 that impactpolicy 1010 and ledger 1003. Overage 1020 may change the parameters ofinterest to policy 1010 or provide temporary adjustments to the policy.For example, the user may exceed his/her printing page limit by aspecified number of pages for a 24 hour period. The user is attending animportant off-site meeting or conference that would provide a goodreason to exceed the daily printing limit. Update 1020, however, is notmeant to be permanent. In the disclosed embodiments, update 1020 may beimplemented in a more efficient manner by keeping policy 1010 at privateserver 1002 as opposed to having it stored on public server 1004.Private server 1002 does not need to update policies in the publicdomain or on different devices because all policy analysis anddeterminations may be performed at the private server. In someembodiments, update 1020 may modify policy 1010 to allow unused usagefrom a previous period or borrow usage from a future period for acurrent period.

Depending on the results of the determination, private server 1002 sendsresponse 1022 to public server 1004. Response 1022 may include a copy ofdocument 1012 for printing. Response 1022 may include more than oneresponse, but is shown as a single response for brevity. Public server1004 may analyze the response to ensure it is appropriate. Public server1004 forwards response 1022 to printing device 1006, which actsaccordingly. In some embodiments, public server 1004 also may sendresponse 1022 or a message associated thereto to user device 1008. Theresponse sent to user device 1008 also may include statistics orinformation regarding the status of the user's account based on ledger1003 and policy 1010.

System 1000 shows user device 1008 sending instructions 1014 to printingdevice 1006. In some embodiments, the user may interact directly withprinting device 1006 to process document 1012 thereon. Use of a userdevice 1008 is not required to print, copy, or scan a document atprinting device 1006 or within the public domain.

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of implementation of policy 1010using private server 1002 according to the disclosed embodiments. FIG.11 shows a more detailed version of the data moving within system 1000to implement policy 1010 at private server 1002 for a request receivedfrom the public domain. Although FIG. 11 does not show all thecomponents disclosed in system 1000, those components may still bereferenced for illustrative purposes.

Request 1016 is received at public server 1004 from printing device1006. Request 1016 includes a request as to whether the user of userdevice 1008 may print document 1012. In some embodiments, document 1012includes a number of pages. In other embodiment, request 1016 mayrequest a plurality of documents from private server 1002.

Public server 1004 serves as the gateway server to private server 1002.Public server 1004 may receive requests and instructions from severalprinting devices in the public domain. Among other responsibilities,public server 1004 may process or validate request 1016. In someembodiments, public server 1004 may apply policy 1010. In otherembodiments, policy 1010 is applied at private server 1002. In someembodiments, printing device 1006 forms request 1016 so that publicserver 1004 forwards them to private server 1002 without additional orminimal processing at the public server.

For example, the user may request to print document 1012 at printingdevice 1006. The print job, as disclosed above, may be for 40 pages ofprinting with a specified cost per page to print. Thus, printing device1006 may send request 1016 for document 1012 having a size of 40 pages.Alternatively, printing device 1006 may know the number of pages toprint as provided by instructions 1014. Request 1016 then may just be arequest to print 40 pages.

Upon receipt at private server 1002, the server analyzes policy 1010 toanswer the request. For example, policy 1010 may restrict the user toprinting or copying 30 pages a week, and may not exceed a set cost perweek for all actions. To properly answer these questions, policy 1010may access ledger 1003 to update the statistics for the user to see ifthe actions request may be allowed. Update 1020, however, may supersedethese limits for a specified period of time to allow printing above whatis set forth in policy 1010.

Ledger 1003 may include a record of all fine-grained action, asreflected in the smallest scale possible. Thus, ledger 1003 includesentries 1104, 1106, 1108, and 1110 for a period 1102. The entriesindicate that the user accessed a print job having a certain format orcharacteristics along with a date or timestamp. For example, the numberof pages printed at a printing device with the date and time may be anentry. Period 1102 may be a group of entries for the period set forth bypolicy 1010. For example, policy 1010 may set the period for determiningparameter limits to be one day. Thus, period 1102 may be the current daywith entries 1104-1110 for print jobs done within the period. Forexample, the user may have previously printed twenty pages outside theprivate domain, as reflected in entry 1104.

In processing request 1016, private server 1002 may compile the dataavailable in ledger 1003 to determine if the user actions are stillwithin the policy parameters. Thus, policy 1010 is compared to thecompiled results for period 1102 to see if the request regardingprinting the pages is granted. Using the above example, private server1002 determines whether printing the pages associated with request 1016will exceed the daily limit of 30 and the costs allowed to be charged tothe user. If the number of pages or costs exceeds the limit, then policy1010 indicates that printing the document is not allowed for the user.Update 1020, however, received at private server 1002 earlier that daymay modify policy 1010 to allow overage printing for the user for 24hours. For example, update 1020 may allow for 10 extra pages to beprinted based on carryover or borrowed, or future, usage available basedon entries within ledger 1003.

Period 1112 is another group of entries in ledger 1003. Entries 1114,1116, 1118, and 1120 may be print jobs or projects performed in anotherperiod, as set forth by policy 1010. Like entries for period 1102,entries 1114-20 include information about the print job, such as pagesprinted, along with the date and time. Period 1112 may refer to anotherperiod that is not the current period 1102. For example, period 1112 maybe the previous day's entries for print jobs performed the day beforethe current period. The entries may be compiled to determine the totalnumber of pages printed for period 1112. Alternatively, period 1112 mayreflect the next day and the number of pages allocated for that period.Under this scenario, period 1112 may not include any entries, unless aprint job is scheduled for that period. Using these embodiments, ledger1003 may provide information and statistics to private server 1002 onany period's activity.

Thus, if request 1016 is to print 20 pages at printing device 1006 andledger 1003 indicates that no pages have been printed that day, then theresponse to the request is yes. If request 1016 is to print 40 pages,then the response is yes based on update 1020 and that the request iswithin the 24 hour time period granted by the update, provided that anycarryover or borrowed usage is available. If update 1020 is notreceived, then private server 1002 may determine that the pages may notbe printed. The determinations may be performed by calculating usagewithin the previous period or available for a future period by examiningledger 1003.

By analyzing policy 1010 and performing these query actions at privateserver 1002, the disclosed embodiments avoid the possible problem thatupdate 1020 is not received at public server 1004 or printing device1006. Update 1020 allows the printing of 40 pages for the user whereaspolicy 1010 does not. If update 1020 is not received at public server1004, for example, then analyzing the policy at the public server wouldresult in a “no” response to the print request. User would not be ableto fulfill the request despite being allowed to do so. The disclosedembodiments avoid this problem by processing requests at private server1002.

Use of ledger 1003 predicts whether using parameter allocations fromanother period may occur. An overage condition is when the print job ofrequest 1016 results in the page limit in policy 1010 for period 1102being exceeded. Update 1020 may allow the overage condition to occur.Determination of whether to allow the overage condition is done onprivate server 1002. The user, public server 1004, and printing device1006 do not know the limit. This feature alleviates the need to updateresources at these components. If an overage condition is predictedafter checking ledger 1003, then private server 1002 may determinewhether to still allow response 1022 using the entries for otherperiods, as disclosed in greater detail below.

After the determination is made, private server 1002 forwards response1022 to the request to public server 1004. Public server 1004 mayforward response 1022 to printing device 1006 to allow or denyprocessing of the document. Public server 1004 also may forwardinformation to user device 1008. In some embodiments, if the response toan individual request is “no” then public server 1004 may save thisresponse to respond back to the further requests for the print job. Asrequests 1016 are received, public server 1004 may deny further requestsfor the print job if a response is no. For example, if the response torequest 1016 is that no additional pages may be printed for the user,then public server 1004 may deny further requests to print pages for theprint job. Update 1020, however, may allow printing pages in the privatedomain.

Ledger 1003 also is updated after the overage condition is accepted andthe print job allowed by policy 1010 and update 1020. For example, entry1106 indicates that the user printed 10 pages earlier in the day.Private server 1002 checks entries for period 1102 in ledger 1003including entry 1106 and determines that the total number of pages willbe exceed if request 1016 asks to print 30 pages, which exceeds thepolicy limit of 30 pages per day. Update 1020 allows for 10 extra pagesto be printed in the 24 hour period, provided 10 extra pages have notbeen used in a previous period or are available to be borrowed from afuture period. Applying the overage amount, private server 1002 allowsthe print job to proceed. Entry 1110 is created in ledger 1003 for the30 page print job. The amount carried over or borrowed also is updatewithin ledger 1003. For example, if period 1112 is for the previous day,then entry 1120 is created to reflect the usage of 10 pages. Furthercompilations of the usage for period 1112 will reflect this additionalnumber of pages chargeable to the period.

FIG. 12 depicts a flowchart 1200 for allowing carryover or borrowedusage according to policy 1010 at a private server 1002 according to thedisclosed embodiments. FIG. 12 may refer to features of FIGS. 10 and 11as well as FIGS. 1-9 for illustrative purposes. The embodimentsdisclosed by flowchart 1200, however, are not limited to the disclosureof FIGS. 1-11.

Step 1202 executes by uploading document 1012 to private server 1002. Asdisclosed above, the user may upload the document to the private serverfor access at the corporate offices in a private setting. Others mayupload document 1012 as well. Private server 1002 may provide anelectronic copy of document 1012 when requested by a printing deviceconnected thereto. Hereinafter, the electronic copy of document 1012also may be known as document 1012.

Step 1204 executes by updating policy 1010 with update 1020. Asdisclosed above, update 1020 may allow exceptions to policy 1010, suchas an overage condition for a period of time. In some embodiments,update 1020 may instruct policy 1010 to allow access to carryover usagefrom previous periods if the limits set forth by the policy areexceeded. Update 1020 also may instruct policy 1010 to allow borrowingof usage from future periods. Update 1020 may be stored at privateserver 1002 with policy 1010. Update 1020 may not apply to all policieson private server 1002 but only those indicated by an administrator orcertain criteria.

Step 1206 executes by instructing printing device 1006 to accessdocument 1012 stored on private server 1002. Preferably, user device1008 sends instructions 1014 from the user to printing device 1006. Inother embodiments, user device 1008 may send instructions 1014 to publicserver 1004. The instructions may request access to document 1012 fromprinting device 1006 in the public domain. Printing device 1006generates request 1016 and sends it to public server 1004.

Step 1208 executes by receiving request 1016 from printing device 1006via public server 1004 at private server 1002. Printing device 1006sends request 1016 to public server 1004 as it has connection 1005 withprivate server 1002. Public server 1004 may be connected to a pluralityof printing devices. This feature allows private server 1002 to onlycommunicate with public server 1004 and not the plurality of printingdevices. Further, changes to procedures may be done at private server1002 or public server 1004 as opposed a plurality of devices.

Step 1210 executes by determining the size of document 1012corresponding to request 1016. “Size” may refer to the number of pagesin the document. Policy 1010 may limit the amount of printing for aperiod by the number of pages. In other embodiments, the limits mayrelate to the size of the file for document 1012. For example, the usermay only print so many megabytes per period. As can be appreciated, somepages may include complex data in the form of graphics or pictures thatrequire larger memory storage than text. For the disclosure below, thenumber of pages may be used as the size of document 1012.

Step 1212 executes by applying policy 1010 to request 1016. This processis disclosed in greater detail above. The parameters of policy 1010 areapplied to the proposed print job to see if the limits or restrictionsimposed by the policy are met. For example, the user may be limited bypolicy 1010 to printing 30 pages per day via public server 1004.Further, step 1212 determines whether update 1020 is in effect. Update1020 may allow exceptions to policy 1010.

Step 1214 executes by determining the usage for the period from ledger1003. Referring to FIG. 11, the disclosed embodiments may analyzecurrent period 1102 to compile the number of pages already accessed orprinted by the user. As used in the examples above, the period set forthby policy 1010 may be a day. The entries for period 1102 are reviewed todetermine the total number of pages available to be printed. Forexample, entries 1104-10 may indicate that the user has printed 10 pagesfor period 1102. Thus, the user may print 20 more pages according topolicy 1010. If document 1012 includes 30 pages, then it may violatepolicy 1010.

Step 1216 executes by determining whether the print job of request 1016can be processed or sent to printing device 1006. The proposed usageprovided by ledger 1003 is compared to policy 1010. Using the exampleabove, if document 1012 is 20 pages or less then printing may be allowedwithout further consideration. Step 1218 executes by generating response1022. Response 1022 may include an indication to printing device 1006via public server 1004 that the print job is allowed. Response 1022 alsomay include document 1012 to be printed.

Step 1220 executes by printing the pages of document 1012 at printingdevice 1006. Step 1222 executes by determining whether printingoperations were able to be finished within the limits imposed by policy1010. If yes, then step 1224 executes by recording the statistics forthe print job in ledger 1003. For example, entry 1110 may be created inledger 1003 with the number of pages printed on printing device 1006. Ifstep 1222 is no, then step 1226 is executed by indicating an overagecondition occurred while printing document 1012. Flowchart 1200 proceedsto step 1228.

If step 1216 is no, then the request for document 1012 places the user'saccount over the limit for the period or an overage condition as well.Preferably, update 1020 allows the policy to consider potentialcarryover usage from previous periods or borrowing usage from futureperiods so that the user may complete printing. In some embodiments,there is a limit on how long update 1020 applies to policy 1010. Thedisclosed embodiments may determine whether update 1020 is still ineffect. Flowchart 1200 proceeds to step 1228.

Step 1228 executes by determining the carryover usage or borrowed usageavailable to the user. This step is disclosed in greater detail below.The disclosed embodiments compile information available in ledger 1003to determine whether the print job may use available pages not used in aprevious period. If not, then the disclosed embodiments may determinewhether policy 1010 allows the user to “borrow” pages from a futureperiod to complete printing operations. Ledger 1003 may be updatedaccordingly to reflect the usage in another period other than currentperiod 1102.

Step 1230 executes by determining whether the print job is allowed basedon the available carryover or borrowed usage based on the information inledger 1003 and policy 1010. If yes, then step 1218 is executed, asdisclosed above. If no, then step 1232 executes by sending an alert anddenying request 1016. Public server 1004 may be updated to deny furtherrequests from printing device 1006 or other devices from the user.

In performing the disclosed processes, policy 1010, update 1020, ledger1003, and document 1012 are not provided to public server 1004. Alloperations and determinations are performed at private server 1002.Thus, the risk of sensitive information being accessed outside theprivate domain is minimized Further, the user does not know the limitsplaced thereon by policy 1010 or any exceptions allowed by update 1020.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flowchart 1300 for determining available carryoveror borrowed usage according to the disclosed embodiments. FIG. 13 mayrefer to features of FIGS. 10-12 as well as FIGS. 1-9 for illustrativepurposes. The embodiments disclosed by flowchart 1300, however, are notlimited to the features of FIGS. 1-12.

Step 1302 executes by determining that the usage limit for the period isreached. This determination may occur as document 1012 is being printedand ledger 1003 updating with each page. It also may occur when policy1010 is applied to the print job of request 1016. After accessing ledger1003, the disclosed embodiments determine that the print job will exceeda parameter set forth in policy 1010.

Step 1304 executes by compiling the usage for the previous period fromledger 1003. In some embodiments, the previous period refers to theimmediate previous period. Using the above example, if the period setforth by policy 1010 is a day, then period 1102 will refer to thecurrent day and the previous period will refer to the previous day. Forexample, period 1112 may be the previous day's activity on the accountfor the user. Step 1304 compiles the usage of period 1112. Using thepage example, the disclosed embodiments compile the number of pagesprinted according to the entries in period 1112.

Step 1306 executes by determining the unused usage from the previousperiod. If policy 1010 sets forth a page limit of 30 pages per day, thenpages may be available for carryover to the current period if this limitwas not met. Thus, entries 1114-20 of period 1112 add up to a total of20 pages. The unused, or available carryover, usage available to thecurrent period is 10 pages.

It should be noted that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to theimmediate previous period in performing steps 1304 and 1306. Anyprevious period in ledger 1003 may be analyzed to compile data onpreviously unused usage. For example, the disclosed embodiments maycompile usage for the previous week, or seven previous periods, toallocate unused usage to current period 1102. Alternatively, if period1112 does not provide enough carryover usage to current period 1102,then the disclosed embodiments may refer to the next previous period andso on until the requested amount of carryover usage is available. Ledger1003 will be updated accordingly, as disclosed below.

Step 1308 executes by applying policy 1010 and update 1020 in view ofthe carryover usage from the one or more previous periods. Policy 1010is analyzed to determine whether carryover usage is allowed, and, if so,how much. Update 1020 may instruct how long the carryover usage isavailable. Step 1310 executes by determining whether policy 1010 alongwith the carryover usage will allow the print job to proceed. If step1310 is no, then not enough carryover usage is available to allow theprint job to proceed at printing device 1006. Flowchart 1300 proceeds tostep 1312.

Step 1312 executes by determining future usage available for borrowingto the current period. If there is not enough carryover usage available,then the user account may borrow against future usage. Using the pagenumber example, if the print job is still 10 pages over the daily limitestablished by policy 1010, then the disclosed embodiments may borrowthe 10 pages from the 30 page limit for the subsequent period. Period1112 may represent the subsequent period, or next day, in this example.No entries have been made for period 1112 so all 30 pages are availableto be borrowed. Ledger 1003 provides this information to private server1002.

Step 1314 executes by applying policy 1010, as disclosed above, exceptthis time with regard to the borrowed usage. Policy 1010 informs whetherthe borrowing is allowed plus any limits on the borrowing. For example,policy 1010 may limit borrowing to 10 pages, which satisfies the pagesneeded to complete the print job. It should be noted that the disclosedembodiments are not limited to borrowing only from the immediatesubsequent period, but any period in the future. For example, policy1010 may allow for borrowing up to a week, or seven periods, fromcurrent period 1102.

Step 1316 executes by determining whether policy 1010 along with theborrowed usage will allow the print job to proceed. If no, then step1318 executes by sending an alert and denying the print job request,much like step 1232 in flowchart 1200.

If steps 1310 or 1316 are yes, then step 1320 executes by generatingresponse 1022 and sending the remaining pages of document 1012 toprinting device 1006. The print job is allowed even though the limit forusage for the period is exceeded. Step 1322 executes by updating ledger1003 accordingly. If the print job used carryover usage, then theprevious period entries are updated to denote the use of the non-usedpages. If the print job used borrowed usage, then an entry may be madein the subsequent period that the daily limit is reduced accordingly.

Although flowchart 1300 discloses using carryover usage then borrowedusage, the disclosed embodiments are not limited to this order. Thedisclosed embodiments may only consider carryover usage or borrowedusage according to policy 1010. Further, the disclosed embodiments mayreview the usage available to borrow first before considering any unusedusage for printing operations in previous periods.

The following example may illustrate the disclosed embodiments. The usersends instructions 1014 to printing device 1006 using user device 1008to print a document stored on private server 1002 having 10 pages.Printing device 1006 generates request 1016 to private server 1002 toprint the document via public server 1004. Public server 1004 presentsthe request to private server 1002. The disclosed embodiments compilethe usage data for current period 1102. No entries are found for theperiod. Private server 1002 may apply policy 1010, which sets a dailypage limit of 30 pages for the user. As the document of the print job isonly 10 pages, private server 1002 allows the document to be sent toprinting device 1006. An entry 1104 is made for period 1102 in ledger1003.

The user sends further instructions 1014 to printing device 1006 toprint another document having 30 pages from private server 1002.Printing device 1006 generates and sends request 1016 to private server1002 via public server 1004. The disclosed embodiments compile the usageinformation for the current period, which is 10 pages based on entry1104. Policy 1010 is applied and determines that the new print jobexceeds the daily limit of 30 pages by 10 pages. Update 1020 mayindicate that the user can access carryover usage based on usage notused from the previous period. If period 1112 represents the previousperiod, then entries 1114-20 are analyzed to compile the number of pagesprinted on the previous day. The total number of pages from the previousperiod may be 25. The disclosed embodiments indicate that 5 pages may becarried over from the previous period.

Applying policy 1010, the 5 carryover pages allow 5 extra pages to beprinted for the print job. This result leaves 5 pages still unavailableto be printed. Thus, the disclosed embodiments determine whether futureusage may be borrowed according to policy 1010 or update 1020. If yes,then the disclosed embodiments may borrow 5 pages from the 30-pageallocation for the next day. Policy 1010 allows the entire print job toproceed accordingly. In some embodiments, private server 1002 may onlysend the allowed pages and does not send any pages not allowed by policy1010.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present inventionmay be embodied as a system, method or computer program product.Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirelyhardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (includingfirmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodimentcombining software and hardware aspects that may all generally bereferred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore,the present invention may take the form of a computer program productembodied in any tangible medium of expression having computer-usableprogram code embodied in the medium.

Any combination of one or more computer usable or computer readablemedium(s) may be utilized. The computer-usable or computer-readablemedium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic,optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus,device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustivelist) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: anelectrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computerdiskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory(ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flashmemory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory(CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a transmission media such as thosesupporting the Internet or an intranet, or a magnetic storage device.Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium could even bepaper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, asthe program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, opticalscanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, orotherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then storedin a computer memory.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the presentinvention may be written in any combination of one or more programminglanguages, including an object oriented programming language such asJava, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer,partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partlyon the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely onthe remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remotecomputer may be connected to the user's computer through any type ofnetwork, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network(WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (forexample, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

The present invention is described with reference to flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) andcomputer program products according to embodiments of the invention. Itwill be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/orblock diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computerprogram instructions. These computer program instructions may beprovided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purposecomputer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce amachine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor ofthe computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, createmeans for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchartand/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended toinclude plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specific thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments may be implemented as a computer process, a computing systemor as an article of manufacture such as a computer program product ofcomputer readable media. The computer program product may be a computerstorage medium readable by a computer system and encoding a computerprogram instructions for executing a computer process. When accessed,the instructions cause a processor to enable other components to performthe functions disclosed above.

The corresponding structures, material, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or steps plus function elements in the claims below are intendedto include any structure, material or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements are specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosenand described in order to best explain the principles of the inventionand the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill inthe art to understand the invention for embodiments with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

One or more portions of the disclosed networks or systems may bedistributed across one or more multi-functional printer (MFP) systemscoupled to a network capable of exchanging information and data. Variousfunctions and components of the MFP system may be distributed acrossmultiple client computer platforms, or configured to perform tasks aspart of a distributed system. These components may be executable,intermediate or interpreted code that communicates over the networkusing a protocol. The components may have specified addresses or otherdesignators to identify the components within the network.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications to the disclosed may be made without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the presentinvention covers the modifications and variations disclosed aboveprovided that these changes come within the scope of the claims andtheir equivalents.

1. (canceled)
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 8. A method for implementing policy-basedprinting, the method comprising: applying a policy to determine whetherto allow a document to be printed from a private server, wherein arequest to print the document is received from a public server;determining that a parameter for a current period as set forth in thepolicy denies the document to be printed; compiling usage informationassociated with the parameter for a subsequent period from a ledger onthe private server; determining a borrowed usage from the usageinformation for the subsequent period; determining whether to allow thedocument to be printed according to the policy and the borrowed usage;and updating the ledger with the borrowed usage.
 9. The method of claim8, wherein the updating includes generating an entry in the ledger forthe subsequent period.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprisingdetermining the parameter is exceeded based on usage information for thecurrent period.
 11. The method of claim 8, further comprisingdetermining that the parameter denies the document to be printedaccording to the borrowed usage.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising compiling usage information associated with the parameter fora previous period.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprisingdetermining a carryover usage based on the usage information for theprevious period.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprisingdetermining whether to allow the document to be printed according to thepolicy and the carryover usage.
 15. A private server configured to:apply a policy to determine whether to allow a document to be printedfrom the private server, wherein a request to print the document isreceived from a public server; determine that a parameter for a currentperiod as set forth in the policy denies the document to be printed;compile usage information associated with the parameter from anotherperiod from a ledger on the private server; determine unused usage basedon the usage information for the another period; determine whether toallow the document to be printed according to the policy and the unusedusage; and update the ledger with the unused usage
 16. The privateserver of claim 15, wherein the private server provides anauthentication token based on user information provided by the publicserver.
 17. The private server of claim 15, further configured toinstruct a printing device to print the document within the publicdomain.
 18. The private server of claim 15, wherein the unused usageincludes carryover usage based on usage information associated with theparameter from a previous period.
 19. The private server of claim 15,wherein the unused usage includes borrowed usage based on usageinformation associated with the parameter for a subsequent period. 20.The private server of claim 15, wherein the private server is configuredto deny access to the policy based on the public domain of the user. 21.A method for implementing policy-based printing, the method comprising:receiving a request to print a document at a private server from apublic server, wherein the document is to be printed at a printingdevice connected to the public server; determining a number of pages forthe document; applying a policy at the private server to determinewhether to allow the document to be forwarded to the public server basedon the number of pages for the document and usage information for acurrent period as set forth in the policy; denying that the document maybe printed based on the application; determining a carryover usage basedon the usage information for a previous period; and determining to allowthe document to be printed according to the policy and the carryoverusage.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising determining theprivate server at the public server using an email address for a user.23. The method of claim 21, further comprising initializing a protocolconnection between the public server and the private server.
 24. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the private server is in a private domainand the public server and the printing device are in a public domainthat is separate from the private domain.
 25. The method of claim 21,further comprising compiling the usage information from a ledger at theprivate server.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the usageinformation relates to a parameter set forth in the policy.
 27. Themethod of claim 25, further comprising recording the carryover usage inthe ledger.